15 May 2008

We switched over to virology lab for the second day and learned about 1˚, sub and 2˚ cultures of cell lines, trypsinization, filtration, tools, media, and labeling of virology . After this I got my first use of internet since coming here which was nice to have. Dr. Chandranaik is an interesting teacher. He talks a little fast, but we follow ok. We are asked if we understand every few minutes, and if he doesn’t believe you he asks what you understand. When he asks questions, he gives you his answer, independent of the correctness of your answer, which I can’t tell if it is just for repetitions sake or not. We have a chicken burrito type thing for lunch, then visit a pug breeder. He says his business peaked after Vodaphone (a popular cell phone company) started an add campaign featuring a pug that followed a child around helping them have things they forgot. It is an extremely cute advertisement. The breeder imported some of his males from across the world, including one star from Florida. The Puppies can be sold for $400-$4000. The breeder is a Veterinarian who has us at his nice house. We get tea or coffee and some biscuits before heading off. The Indian standard for pugs is more compact and round in character than their American counterparts. In the afternoon we finished our morning lab and I saw my first wild Indian Monkeys! They walked about 2 ft. away from me actually, which was awesome, though I was a bit more excited about it than the monkey. In the evening we toured Bangalore. Some gorgeous botanical gardens were visited that was massive, but it was only myself, Matt, Tamika, and LaTisha that got to see it with Dr. Nadeem as the others were shopping. There was even a bonsai garden and lotus pond, with a glass house in the center of the park. The town hall was nicely made with a beautiful park in front that many people seemed to enjoy picnicking on. We drove by the largest Mosque in Bangalore and a huge race track with over 1000 horses housed there. Just driving around has been an adventure with the ox-pulled carts through the streets and amazing agility of our vehicle and driver. Following this, we joined the rest of the group to attend a wedding reception. Sitting near the front row, we watched as a seemingly never-ending line of people went to congratulate the bride and groom on a stage that was ornately decorated. There they posed for pictures and video, which was taken by people all around. Traditional and non-traditional music played in the background or was performed. Even we went up to congratulate the couple and were videoed and photographed with them. The wedding was for a sister of a veterinary technician Dr. Nadeem knew threw Dr. Shivaprakash. There was a teacher that talked to us there and was fun to speak with. He first attempted to introduce his grandchild to us (who wanted nothing less than this and squirmed away to play with other children). He said it was an inter-caste marriage but people were quite happy supporting them. These events are more frequently occurring now. This was followed by lots of really good food. Spicy tomato soup, a bunch of rice, curd rice, some bread stuff, a desert that is like a donut hole soaked in sweet milk, and one that is like a lemon/lime sugar rope. There was also fruit, ice cream, and betel pan. Everyone in the group tried the betel pan this time, weather they enjoyed it or not. One unfortunate incident involved salt being placed next to the fruit…which Lauren and Erin believed was sugar. Lauren took the brunt of this as she took the first bite of the startling food. Most of the girls ogled over the beautiful clothing, as they were already planning out their own sarees and sulvar suits. The girls also got marked foreheads and garlands of Jasmine in their hair. We each got a coconut for a parting gift. I was thirsty when I got back so cracked my coconut open and had a drink and snack. A bunch of us hung out talking till 1am, mostly talking about school and whatever else life is for us.